ZOOT SUIT FITTED FOR A NEW GENERATION

When Zoot Suit was originally commissioned and developed by Center Theatre Group in 1978, it played for nearly a year in Los Angeles—first at the Mark Taper Forum, then at the Aquarius in Hollywood. It went on to become Broadway’s first Chicano play, was made into a major motion picture and became a cultural phenomenon.

Nearly 40 years after its world premiere, the original creator Luis Valdez will once again fill the Taper stage with a company of 25 actors, singers and dancers weaving fact and fiction together as they portray the events surrounding the infamous 1942 Sleepy Lagoon murder in Los Angeles.

In advance of opening night, production photos are now available (see below). Now in previews, Zoot Suit opens February 12, 2017 and runs through April 2, 2017 (extending three weeks from the originally announced closing date).

Demián Bichir—seen in Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight, FX’s The Bridge, Showtime’s Weeds, Soderbergh’s “Che” and “A Better Life” (2012 lead actor Oscar nominee)—plays the indelible role of El Pachuco, an allegorical character of the Chicano sub-culture of the same name.

Actors Daniel Valdez and Rose Portillo, who appeared in the original production and film, return to Zoot Suit; Valdez, who originally played the leading role of Henry Reyna—leader of the 38th Street Gang—is now playing Enrique Reyna (Henry’s father), while Portillo, who played Della—his barrio girlfriend—now plays Dolores Reyna (Henry’s mother).

Filled with heart, sly wit and the infectious songs of Lalo Guerrero, Zoot Suit remains an urgent portrayal of the clash between generations in a Chicano family, the rifts between cultures in America and how racism and injustice can haunt a city and a society.

Choreography is by Maria Torres, the music director is Daniel Valdez, scenic design is by Christopher Acebo, costume design is by Ann Closs-Farley, lighting design is by Pablo Santiago, sound design is by Philip G. Allen and projection design is by David Murakami.